Mounting system

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for mounting pipes or other elongate structures to a mounting surface.

1 . A mounting system for fastening an elongate structure to a mounting surface; the mounting system comprising:
 a base portion comprising:
 a first surface to be placed on the mounting surface; 
 sidewalls to support a top surface; and 
 end walls to seal the sidewalls base and top surface thereby forming a hollow area within the base portion; and 
 an elongate strut portion fixedly attached to the top surface of the base, the elongate strut portion comprising a channel for mating with a clamp, the channel comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back wall, integrated such that an opening is formed between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first side wall including a first flange having a first recess and the second side wall including a second flange having a second recess, the first flange and the second flange defining the opening. 
   
   
   
       2 . The mounting system of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a clamp for fastening an elongate structure to the elongate strut portion, the clamp including at least two fingers, a first finger which mates with the first flange and first recess and a second finger which mates the second flange and second recess.   
   
   
       3 . The mounting system of  claim 2  wherein the elongate strut portion is embedded within the base portion such that the opening is exposed to receive the clamp. 
   
   
       4 . The mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the base portion comprises a rigid or flexible plastic. 
   
   
       5 . The mounting system of  claim 4  wherein the base portion comprises polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       6 . The mounting system of  claim 1  additionally comprising at least one securing surface and a securing hole therethrough, a centerline through the securing hole intersecting the mounting surface. 
   
   
       7 . The mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate strut portion comprises a rigid plastic and is contiguously formed with the base portion. 
   
   
       8 . The mounting system of  claim 5 , wherein the elongate structure comprises a pipe. 
   
   
       9 . The mounting system of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp comprises a pipe clamp. 
   
   
       10 . The mounting system of  claim 5  wherein the base portion and the elongate strut portion comprise a contiguous plastic unit. 
   
   
       11 . The mounting system of  claim 1  additionally comprising a transport hook for connecting multiple mounting systems to each other. 
   
   
       12 . The mounting system of  claim 1  additionally comprising a transport hole though the base and a transport mechanism attached to the transport hole and connecting multiple mounting systems for transport. 
   
   
       13 . The mounting system of  claim 12  wherein the transport mechanism comprises a flexible line. 
   
   
       14 . The mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the first surface comprises a width and a length and the top surface comprises a width and a length and the width of the top surface is less than the width of the base portion. 
   
   
       15 . A method for attaching an elongate structure to a mounting surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a base proximate to the mounting surface, wherein the mounting apparatus comprises: a first surface to be placed on the mounting surface; sidewalls to support a top surface; and end walls to seal the sidewalls base and top surface thereby forming a hollow area within the base portion;   securing a clamp within an elongate strut portion fixedly attached to the top surface of the base, the elongate strut portion comprising a channel for mating with a clamp, the channel comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back wall, integrated such that an opening is formed between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first side wall including a first flange having a first recess and the second side wall including a second flange having a second recess, the first flange and the second flange defining the opening; and   clamping the elongate structure with the clamp within the channel.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  additionally comprising the step of mating fingers of the clamp within the channel. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  additionally comprising the step of securing the base portion with a fastener through a securing hole formed in a securing surface formed in the base. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the base comprises rigid polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       19 . A method of transporting multiple mounting systems for fastening an elongate structure to a mounting surface; the method comprising:
 securing the multiple mounting systems to each other with a hook fashioned into the a base portion of the mounting system, the base portion additionally comprising:
 a first surface to be placed on a mounting surface; 
 sidewalls to support a top surface; and 
 end walls to seal the sidewalls base and top surface thereby forming a hollow area within the base portion; and an elongate strut portion fixedly attached to the top surface of the base, the elongate strut portion comprising a channel for mating with a clamp, the channel comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back wall, integrated such that an opening is formed between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first side wall including a first flange having a first recess and the second side wall including a second flange having a second recess, the first flange and the second flange defining the opening; and 
   fastening the multiple mounting systems to a flexible line, said flexible line having a portion for acting as a handgrip used to carry the multiple mounting systems.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  additionally comprising the step of hoisting the multiple mounting systems in a vertical direction to a height at least equivalent to a single story of a building.